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Form 8821A: IRS Disclosure Authorization for Victims of Identity Theft
IRS Form 8821-A is an IRS Disclosure Authorization for Victims of Identity Theft that allows the IRS to share taxpayer information with law enforcement. The form must be received by the IRS within 120 days of being signed.
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IRS Form 8821A - IRS Disclosure Authorization for Victims of Identity Theft
IRS Form 8821-A is an IRS Disclosure Authorization for Victims of Identity Theft that allows the IRS to share taxpayer information with law enforcement. The form must be received by the IRS within 120 days of being signed.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Do not sign this form if it is blank or incomplete, as the IRS will reject it.
- 2Failing to provide your full name and correct SSN in the Taxpayer Information section.
- 3Not specifying the exact tax year for which the return was filed.
- 4Omitting the full address or telephone number of the receiving law enforcement agency.
- 5Forgetting to sign and date the authorization, as original signatures are required.
Plain English
This form gives permission for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to share your confidential tax return details with local or state law enforcement agencies if someone has stolen your identity. It is used when you are a victim of identity theft and need authorities to investigate related crimes. The IRS will use this authorization to determine what information your appointed agency can inspect.
Submission Date
- Filing date: 2021-10-26 22:13:41
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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What this form is for
- Use this form when you are a taxpayer whose name and/or Social Security Number has been used by a third party to file a return (or purported return) without your knowledge or consent, and you need the IRS to share information about that filing.
- Do not use this form if you are authorizing disclosure for tax years other than those listed on the form, as you must complete another Form 8821-A for each additional year.
- Check Form 8821-A instead when you need to authorize disclosure for a specific tax year.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
You are reporting identity theft on your return
This form specifically authorizes the IRS to share data related to the fraudulent filing.
✓ Check before you continue
You need to authorize disclosure for a specific tax year
You must complete and submit a separate Form 8821-A for each additional year beyond the first one listed.
✓ Check before you continue
Your return is filed by someone else using your SSN
This form allows disclosure to state/local law enforcement regarding returns filed without your consent.
✓ Check before you continue
Deadline or filing window
The taxpayer must ensure the IRS receives Form 8821-A within 120 days of the date it is signed and dated. Forms received after these 120 days are considered invalid by the IRS.
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Taxpayer Name
Your full name · Taxpayer Information section
Social Security Number (SSN)
Your correct SSN · Taxpayer Information section
Designated Recipient Official
Full name and title of the law enforcement official · Taxpayer Consent section
Tax Year
The specific tax year for which the return was filed · Taxpayer Information section
Date Signed
The date you sign the authorization · Signature section
Recipient Address
Street address, city, state, and ZIP code of the agency · Taxpayer Consent section
Before you submit
- 1Confirm you have completed another Form 8821-A if there are additional tax years to report.
- 2Verify that the full name and title of the recipient official is entered in the Taxpayer Consent section.
- 3Check that the complete address (street, city, state, ZIP code) for the designated law enforcement agency is provided.
- 4Ensure you have signed and dated the authorization in the Signature section.
- 5Confirm that the printed name and title (if applicable) are filled out below your signature.
- 6Verify that you have entered your correct Taxpayer Name and SSN in the Taxpayer Information block.
- 7Check that the form is not blank or incomplete before signing.
How to file this form
- 1Complete the Taxpayer Information section by entering your name, Social Security Number, and mailing address.
- 2Fill out the Tax Year field with the specific tax year for which the return was filed (and repeat this process for other years).
- 3In the Taxpayer Consent section, enter the full name, title, agency name, and complete address of the recipient law enforcement official.
- 4Sign and date the authorization in the Signature section, then print your name and title below it.
- 5Mail Form 8821-A to Internal Revenue Service RAIVS Team Stop 6716 AUSC, Austin, TX 73301 for proof of filing.
Known limitations
- 1The form may only be used for authorizing disclosure of the taxpayer's return, any purported return, and other related return information to state or local law enforcement.
- 2This Form 8821-A cannot be used for any purpose other than that specified in its title.
- 3If a taxpayer has multiple tax years, they must complete and submit another Form 8821-A for each year.
- 4The IRS will not accept the form if it is blank or incomplete.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Entity Info
1 items
Name and taxpayer ID of the entity claiming the credit.
Credit Info
1 items
Type of credit or incentive being claimed.
Calculation
2 items
The base amount used to calculate the credit.
Calculated credit amount after applying formulas and limitations.
Certification
1 items
Detailed breakdown supporting the credit calculation.
Signatures
1 items
Sign and date the form.
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Fillable formOpen in Editor->The current edition is Revision 10-2021, which was published in October 2021. The source does not specify a link to the absolute latest information page but provides the catalog number and IRS website.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date — confirm the revision reads 10-2021.
- Catalog Number — confirm it is 59482M.
- Mailing address — confirm the destination is IRS RAIVS Team Stop 6716 AUSC, Austin, TX 73301.
- Signature — ensure the form has an original signature (do not sign if blank or incomplete).
- Taxpayer Consent — verify the taxpayer's name is entered in the space provided.
Quick Facts
Downloads
After you file
- 1Retain a copy of the signed Form 8821-A after filing it with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
- 2Ensure the original signature is present on the form, as the IRS will only accept forms with original signatures.
- 3The IRS may share the disclosed information with other law enforcement agencies involved in related investigations or prosecutions.
- 4If providing false or fraudulent information on Form 8821-A, the taxpayer may be subject to penalties.
Sources
- SRCForm 8821-A is identified by Catalog Number 59482M and is dated October 2021 (Rev. 10-2021) [Form p.1]
- SRCThe purpose of Form 8821-A is to authorize the IRS to disclose a taxpayer's return, any purported return, and related information to state or local law enforcement in case of identity theft [Form p.2].
- SRCThe IRS must receive Form 8821-A within 120 days of the date it is signed and dated by the taxpayer [Form p.2].
- SRCThe form must be submitted by IRS Criminal Investigation and/or state or local law enforcement agencies [Form p.2].
- SRCMail Form 8821-A to: Internal Revenue Service RAIVS Team Stop 6716 AUSC Austin, TX 73301 [Form p.2].
- SRCThe form requires the taxpayer's name and Social Security Number (SSN) for identification purposes [Form p.1] / [Form p.2].
Common confusion points
Who must submit this form?
IRS Criminal Investigation and/or state or local law enforcement agencies must submit Form 8821-A.
When is it considered late?
The IRS must receive Form 8821-A within 120 days of the date it is signed and dated by the taxpayer; forms received after this period are invalid.
What information does the form cover?
It covers the return filed, any purported return filed by a third party, communications between the taxpayer and IRS personnel, and other related IRS-generated information.
Who can sign if it's not the taxpayer?
A guardian, executor, receiver, administrator, trustee, or another party may sign if they certify they have the authority to do so on behalf of the taxpayer.
Where should I mail it?
Mail Form 8821-A to: Internal Revenue Service RAIVS Team Stop 6716 AUSC Austin, TX 73301.
What if my SSN is wrong?
Furnish the correct name and Social Security Number (SSN) so that the IRS can respond to the request accurately.
Workflow map
Related forms and next steps
Before
Current
After
Often used with
⚠ If something goes wrong
- Providing false or fraudulent information on this form may subject the taxpayer to penalties.
Questions about IRS Form 8821A
What is IRS Form 8821A used for?
This form gives permission for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to share your confidential tax return details with local or state law enforcement agencies if someone has stolen your identity. It is used when you are a victim of identity theft and need authorities to investigate related crimes. The IRS will use this authorization to determine what information your appointed agency can inspect.
Who must file IRS Form 8821A?
This form must be submitted by IRS Criminal Investigation and/or state or local law enforcement agencies, though it is also signed by the taxpayer.
What information does IRS Form 8821A require?
The Taxpayer Information section collects your name, Social Security Number (SSN), and mailing address. You must specify the tax year for which the return was filed in the Tax Year field.
When is IRS Form 8821A due?
The IRS must receive Form 8821-A within 120 days of the date it is signed and dated by the taxpayer.
Where do I file IRS Form 8821A?
Mail Form 8821-A to the Internal Revenue Service RAIVS Team at Stop 6716 AUSC, Austin, TX 73301. The form should be mailed using the address provided on the document.
How do I complete IRS Form 8821A?
First, complete the Taxpayer Information section with your details and SSN. Next, enter the full name and address of the law enforcement agency receiving the data. Finally, sign and date the authorization; the IRS requires original signatures to accept the form.
What happens if IRS Form 8821A is filed incorrectly?
If you provide false or fraudulent information on Form 8821-A, you may be subject to penalties. Failure to provide all requested information may prevent the IRS from honoring the authorization.
Who must submit this form?
IRS Criminal Investigation and/or state or local law enforcement agencies must submit Form 8821-A.
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